A Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government delegation led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, continued its visit to Fujian today (January 23).

Mrs Lam visited Quanzhou in the morning to meet with the management of Huaqiao University (Quanzhou Campus) and Hong Kong students studying there to better understand their lives and studies in the city. She also visited a student dormitory and a Hong Kong cultural exhibition organised by Hong Kong students. Currently there are about 800 Hong Kong students studying in Huaqiao University (Quanzhou Campus).

At noon, Mrs Lam attended a lunch hosted by the Mayor of Quanzhou, Mr Zheng Xincong, to exchange views on co-operation between Hong Kong and Quanzhou.

Mrs Lam said, "Quanzhou is the starting place of the Maritime Silk Road. The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to enterprises in Quanzhou. By the end of last November, 20 Quanzhou enterprises had been listed in Hong Kong, and the total financing was HK$23.8 billon. I encourage more Quanzhou companies to leverage Hong Kong's advantages to 'go global' and expand overseas."

In the afternoon, Mrs Lam visited the Anxi Tiekuanyin tea garden in Quanzhou to better understand the tea culture in Fujian.

Mrs Lam departed for Xiamen in the evening to meet with the Mayor of Xiamen, Mr Liu Keqing. Leaders of the Xiamen Municipal Government also hosted a dinner for the HKSAR Government delegation. The two sides discussed the opportunities for co-operation between Hong Kong and Xiamen.

Mrs Lam said, "Xiamen is one of five Special Economic Zones China first established to implement the country's open-door policy. The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress authorised the State Council last December to establish a pilot free trade zone in Fujian, with the Xiamen area being the largest district in the Fujian pilot free trade zone, presenting tremendous potential for development.

"Since the launch of the Xiamen-Shenzhen railway in December 2013, transportation between Hong Kong and Xiamen has become more convenient and efficient. The flow of people and cargo between the two places will be further enhanced."

Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Xiamen tomorrow (January 24). She will visit a local enterprise and meet with Hong Kong people who work, do business and study there.